Elders are ailing, alone and without the means to support themselves, finds Helpage India study Premium

HelpAge India study reveals financial challenges, health issues, and lack of awareness among elderly in India.

A study by HelpAge India of a cross-section of elders across the country found that only 15% of them had a source of income. Among them, 24% were men and 7% were women. Around 29% were supported by their children financially.  At least 79% of the elders surveyed used government hospitals, and only 31% had health insurance. Very few among those surveyed (15%) knew of the existence of exclusive geriatric facilities. 

The study was released in Chennai on June 15, which is observed as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The non-government organisation conducted a survey among 5,169 elders in 10 States and 20 cities. The organisation selected one tier 1 and one tier 2 city in each State. As many as 1,333 caregivers, aged 18 to 49 years, providing general, social, and emotional care to these elderly respondents were also surveyed.

“To ensure adequate representation of both genders and older age groups, the entire sample was equally distributed among males and females, and an effort was made to cover at least a 5% sample size in the age group of 80 years and above and 20–25%  in the age group of 70–79 years,” the report said.

Only 29% of those surveyed reported having access to social security schemes such as an old age pension, a contributory pension or a provident fund. Among those surveyed, one in every three , irrespective of the city they lived in, reported no income in the past year, and 31% of the respondents in the 60-69 year age group, 36% in the 71-79 year age group, and 37% in the 80 year age group reported no income in the past year.

Nearly two-thirds of the respondents (65%) felt financially insecure with their current income and access to savings and investment. Only around 29% of the respondents said their family supported them financially. The survey found that one in every four elderly men and one in every three elderly women was supported financially by their family.  

Although the elderly had many health issues, only 31% had active health insurance schemes. As many as 54% of all elderly studied had two or more non-communicable diseases, while 20% had no NCD. Around 26% had at least one NCD.. . Most respondents over 80 years old had two or more NCDs. Around 48% of the respondents had high blood pressure, and 43% were diabetic. Over a third of the respondents had arthritis, osteoporosis, or other bone and joint diseases. As many as 19% of respondents had high cholesterol.